I have been MIA for a while, but that does not mean that I have not been busy! I have done a pretty hefty gear overhaul, and I couldn’t be more happy with the results. After years of conceptualization, and waiting for technology to catch up with necessity and desire, I’m happy to say that I can now go forth in new areas of bass exploration!

I have added Bergantino Cabinets to my roster of equipment. These speakers have made it possible for me to take the sounds from my studio, and recreate them in a live environment. Not only that, Jim was years ahead of his time with the IP – “Intelligent Power” speaker designs. This has allowed me to streamline my rig even further, with no compromise in sound or convenience.

I have also acquired a 1974 Fender Precision Bass after selling the one that I used on Monte Gill’s record “Can’t Be Your Lover.” The bass that I have has been gigged hard, and put up wet for the past 35+ years. It has nothing to hide, and it plays and sounds amazing. I could not be effective as an artist if I did not have this staple sound at my disposal.

Last but not least, I have finally acquired my BrainChild! A custom LowEnd Jazz bass crafted by Chris Benavente and commissioned by Brian Barrett of TheLow End Guitar Shop. I pieced this bass together, literally myself, as I sourced the body and top woods, the vintage 70s EMG Jazz Pickups, as well as the hardware, and the Graph Tech Midi Hexpander! Coupled with the now discontinued Axon AX100 MKII Pitch-to-MIDI Converter and a Moog Slim Phatty, I am now capable of doing things I only dreamed about! This bass is amazing, and has allowed me to bridge the gap between traditional and modern music. The components have existed for some time now, but I’ve finally been able to start putting them together, and really working some alchemy to make it viable in a consistent fashion live. In all honestly, this was my effort to keep being a “bass” player and not have to learn piano :-p and to be honest, I’m quite happy with the results. As time passes, I know that I will be able to grow and evolve this technology to be commonplace on stage.

I’m honored that the folks at Roscoe Guitars have expressed an interest in me playing their Century Standard series, and let’s just say something followed me home from work Monday night after teaching my bass lessons.
And to my gig on Tuesday night.

It’s not hard to imagine, considering they make one of THE MOST CONSISTENTLY well made and well playing basses I’ve ever put my hands on. They sound pretty good too! I probably shouldn’t say this, but the Century Series plays just as good as their high-end series. No corners were cut here. to prove it, here are some action shots of the building process: